Britannica Sources used in this answer

How is bismuth oxychloride used in cosmetics?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

A labeled periodic table element box for bismuth shows atomic number 83, symbol Bi, atomic weight 208.9804, electron configuration, and properties including solid state, rhombohedral crystal structure, and weakly acidic oxides. — bismuth Properties of bismuth.

In the cosmetics industry, bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) is primarily used as a pigment to provide a pearlescent or shimmering quality to various products. It is commonly incorporated into formulations such as:12

Lipstick2
Nail polish2
Eye shadow2

Beyond its cosmetic applications, this white crystalline salt is also utilized as a general pigment.1